Buying a house is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. As an adult, getting on the property ladder is getting more and more difficult as the years go on, so buying your first home is a real achievement to be proud of. 

If you are a new homeowner and this will be your first winter in your own home, there are some important things you need to know, many of you will recall your parents doing. To save you time, money, and aggro, here are some of the essential winter home tips you need to know. 

Insulate Your Water Pipes

If you have a garage or a basement where the water pipes run into your home, you need to make sure to insulate them during winter. This was an annual winter checklist item growing up in Pennsylvania. As we know, in the winter temperatures can drop below freezing most nights and when this happens, your water pipes can also freeze. If this happens you may lose your water supply completely until it thaws. To prevent this from happening, insulate your pipes and ensure that you have fresh water all winter long!  

Clean Out the Gutters

One of the features of a home you may take for granted as a new homeowner is the guttering. Gutters run along the side of your roof to divert water away from the foundation of your home and prevent water from getting into the brickwork. However, gutters need to be cleaned and unblocked now and again to keep them from overflowing. The start of winter is the perfect time to clean your gutters as you will be able to rid them of all of the dried and dead leaves that fell during fall. Taking the time to do this will ensure that you survive the winter without any damp or mold issues. 

Have an Emergency Plan 

It is incredibly important as a homeowner to protect your home with residential on-site generator and prepare for any harsh weather conditions that can arise. Winter is notorious for being unpredictable and you should prepare your home for potential flooding, snow, and power outages too. 

Seal the Windows and Doors 

You’ll soon find out as a new homeowner that the biggest cost you have to pay is for your energy bills. Heating and electricity both cost a lot of money, and this is why you will want to find ways to reduce these costs as much as you can. One check to carry out at the start of the cold season is the seals around your windows and the gaps under your doors. If your door has a large gap beneath it, it may be letting cold air in and heat out. You can fix this with a draught excluder or a new door that fits snugly. The same goes for the windows, where you can refresh the sealant around the edges to ensure that no heat is escaping from your house. 

Deter Pests 

Pests can be a… pest. Any small critters such as termites, mice, wasps and beetles can invade your home during winter to escape the cold: but this spells trouble for you and your home. There is an easy and natural way to deter pests at home: using herbs. By using a bouquet of fresh herbs such as rosemary, lavender and basil close to small cracks in your walls or underneath the windows you will deter pests because they don’t like the smell! 

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